V-8 skid plate mod for oil filter change

I like to change my own oil, but I hate the idea of having to remove the skid plate to get to the oil filter on my V-8. Taking the skid off is easy, but putting it back on is an annoying task - and I'd just as soon make the job of changing my oil as quick and painless as possible.

A previous thread discussed how some people remove the oil filter from the top of the engine. This may work for some people, but not for everyone.

I looked into oil flter relocation kits, but abandoned that idea when when I figured out it would cost well over $150 to do it in a way that would not worry me about leaks or failure.

There has been some mention of modifying the skid plate to allow changing the oil filter without removing the skid plate. I looked at removing the filter by enlarging the gap between the skid plate and the frame on the driver's side in the wheel well - however, even with the skid plate out of the way, the sway bar and the radiator seem to prevent egress from that direction.

Recently while I had the skid plates off for another reason, I took a hard look at the bottom of the front skid plate. There are a couple of welded-in mesh screens whose purpose I don't truly understand. It looked like the screen on the driver's side seemed quite close to the oil filter and that may be a way to access it.

After a few minutes of figuring, I decided to take the plunge and experiment with modifying the skid plate. What follows is the modification I came up with. I think I achieved my purpose - to access the oil filter easily without removing the skid plate.

Some people will say that it is just as easy to pull off the skid plate at each oil change than to modify it. Yes, I acknowledge that. I am not suggesting that anyone else do this modification. I post it for informational purposes and because I know some of the mod-crazy people on this board might find it interesting.

I started by drilling out the two spot welds on the panel that contains the mesh screen. Once the holes were drilled out, there was a slight amout of adhesive holding the tab of the panel to the rest of the skid plate. Gentle pressure with a screwdriver popped this loose easily.

I had to take extra care not to bend the tab on the panel , nor to deform the area where the welds were when prying. This meant making sure the welds were completely drilled out before doing any prying.

Then I turned the skid plate over to access the side that faces the engine. Using my trusty Dremel, I ground off the 3 spot welds holding the screen to the bottom of the mounting frame. Then I used the cut-off wheel to cut the sides of the frame in the areas shown. At this point, the screen mesh panel will come off freely.

Next, I used the Dremel again to enlarge the opening, but making cuts on either side, each about 1.5 inches. (see top of photo) Rather than cutting this peice completely out, I just folded it back on itself. This reduced the amount of cutting I needed to do, and also left a very smooth edge. I was concerned that I would be sticking my hand up in there to twist off the filter, and didn't want any rough edges. I did use the grinder wheel to smooth off the edges that were cut.

The panel that was removed now looked like this:

I wanted to attach nuts to the inside of the skid plate so I could re-attach the panel I had removed using bolts.

If I had a welder I would have tack-welded some nuts on, but I don't have a welder. So I tried JB Weld instead. Didn't work.

So, I installed nutserts (rivnuts, rivet nuts) into the holes I had drilled out earlier when removing the weld from the panel.

This seemed to work fine.

After painting everything with Rustoleum and letting it dry, I was able to re-assemble. This is how it looked. (Note, I also added a small pievce of weatherstrip between the mesh and the skid plate to keep them from rattling against each other. You can't see it in the picture.) Other than the bolt heads, it looks exactly like stock.

Finally, here's a shot showing how easy it is to get to the oil filter. You can see the nutserts in the picture too.

One concern is that this may significantly weaken the skid plate. After spending quite a bit of time examining it, my opinion is that it won't make much difference. My truck stays on-road anyway, so no worries there.

The screened openings are for air flow (induction) to help with cooling. The purpose of the skid plate is to protect the vital components of the vehicle, such as the oil filter. I hope you will be careful if you go offroad because the filter will be exposed.

Koz

Koz said:

The screened openings are for air flow (induction) to help with cooling. The purpose of the skid plate is to protect the vital components of the vehicle, such as the oil filter. I hope you will be careful if you go offroad because the filter will be exposed.

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C'mon, Koz. The general purpose of a wire screen and of a skid plate are quite obvious even to a dummy like me. :bonk:

When I said I didn't really understand the purpose of the wire screen, I meant that in a more subtle way. Why is it in that exact spot (pretty low, and directly in front of suspension components and a cross member, not heated components)? I'm not in any position to criticize the design, but it seems a little weird to me.

Regardless, the modification leaves the wire screen in place and unobstructed, so there would be no changes in airflow.

As for the protection of the skid plate, yes, there is some added vulnerability. However, the mesh screen itself is essentially the only thing that is less secure now than before. And I hope nobody here is relying on that mesh screen for much protection.

Other than the mesh screen, the hole under the filter is only about 1.25 inches wider - and remember this hole is again covered by the bolt-on plate, so the filter is not significantly more exposed than it was before. The final picture there really exagerrates the opening, making it look huge. Most of the opening that you see in that picture was already there. I just made it slightly larger. (See the "L" in the word FILTER in that picture? The cuts I made extended from there to the left.)

Finally, the bolt-on plate sits in a recess, maybe 2 or so inches deep, and the filter is still 8 inches or so above the bolt-on plate.

I think for the types of off-roading where this modification would make a negative difference, the stock skid plate would be borderline inadequate anyway.
:cheers:

loner said:

C'mon, Koz. The general purpose of a wire screen and of a skid plate are quite obvious even to a dummy like me. :bonk:

When I said I didn't really understand the purpose of the wire screen, I meant that in a more subtle way. Why is it in that exact spot (pretty low, and directly in front of suspension components and a cross member, not heated components)? I'm not in any position to criticize the design, but it seems a little weird to me.

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loner,

You took my post the wrong way. In no way did I what to imply anyone was dumb. I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I only wanted to help and warn you of a possible problem.

As far as the screen's location (low and in front of the suspension); the opening creates air flow across/above/behind the skid plate. This air flow will create an induction affect that will draw/increase air flow from the front grill, through the rad, across the engine and out through the back of the skid plate. The one thing that I have learned is the Japanese engineers do not do anything that does not have a purpose or function, regardless of how it looks.

Koz

Koz said:

You took my post the wrong way. In no way did I what to imply anyone was dumb. I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I only wanted to help and warn you of a possible problem.

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No no, Koz, I knew you were trying to be helpful. I just meant my reply as a light-hearted jab at you for stating the obvious. (Thus, the "smilies".) I didn't think you were trying to call me dumb. I am familiar enough with your posting style to know you don't go around insulting people.

loner said:

No no, Koz, I knew you were trying to be helpful. I just meant my reply as a light-hearted jab at you for stating the obvious. (Thus, the "smilies".) I didn't think you were trying to call me dumb. I am familiar enough with your posting style to know you don't go around insulting people.

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COOL!

Koz

Nice idea! Thanks for the writeup. It looks like cutting the side of the skid place does not provide enough room to work.

If the panel was spot welded on, the bolts should be close in strength. If you are using the skid that hard, go with an aftermarket.


I can't believe Toyota would add the mesh for cooling. The V6 has the filter on top, in the hottest part of the engine bay. I figured the mesh was for apperance (or cleaning out oil after the filter is changed from above ). It would be interesting to measure the temp or air flow difference at the filter of a stock skid vs. aftermarket.

Just stumbled upon this thread. I can't see the photos (blocked at work), but I will definitely check this out when I get home. Looks like I found this weekend's project!

mstreck said:

Just stumbled upon this thread. I can't see the photos (blocked at work), but I will definitely check this out when I get home. Looks like I found this weekend's project!

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Photos aren't blocked at work. I can't see them at home either. Any chance for re-uploading them?

:noidea:

mstreck said:

Photos aren't blocked at work. I can't see them at home either. Any chance for re-uploading them?

:noidea:

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This is a 14 year old post... might want to message the OP... :jump:

loner said:

Finally, here's a shot showing how easy it is to get to the oil filter. You can see the nutserts in the picture too.

One concern is that this may significantly weaken the skid plate. After spending quite a bit of time examining it, my opinion is that it won't make much difference. My truck stays on-road anyway, so no worries there.

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Hello, just bought a 2023 4Runner Limited and already want to somehow make oil filter changes easier, without the hassle of removing the front factory panels. I have to do this on my 2012 tundra and it is a hassle so i leave off the skid plate during the summer and put back on in the winter. Will not do anything off road, strictly a street machine. Don't really need a 4runner, but just had to have one.
Anyway, could I please get the pictures of your front skid plate modification so I could see if it would work for mine. Thanks

Wattman said:

Hello, just bought a 2023 4Runner Limited and already want to somehow make oil filter changes easier, without the hassle of removing the front factory panels. I have to do this on my 2012 tundra and it is a hassle so i leave off the skid plate during the summer and put back on in the winter. Will not do anything off road, strictly a street machine. Don't really need a 4runner, but just had to have one.
Anyway, could I please get the pictures of your front skid plate modification so I could see if it would work for mine. Thanks

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I wouldn't count on that member responding to you...looking at his profile page he hasn't been n the forum in 4 years!